Two Newfoundland men sentenced for offences under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
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GRAND BANK, NL, Dec. 4, 2017 /CNW/ - Illegal trafficking of wildlife is unacceptable in Canada. Unlawfully exploiting species for profit will not be tolerated.

In November 2013, Environment and Climate Change Canada's wildlife enforcement officers initiated Operation Long Feather, an investigation into the unlawful trade and harvest of migratory birds.

As a result of the four-year investigation, two Newfoundland men were charged and sentenced for offences under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

On November 23, 2017, Mr. Scott Ross Waye (of Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador) pleaded guilty, in the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, to charges under the act. Mr. Waye was ordered to pay $7,000, and he must forfeit a boat and a motor as well as other items used while carrying out the offences. Mr. Waye is prohibited from hunting for 8 years and being in the presence of anyone hunting or possessing migratory birds or any parts of migratory birds.

On November 28, 2017, Mr. Walter John Foote (of Lamaline, Newfoundland and Labrador) also pleaded guilty to charges under act. Mr. Foote was ordered to pay $7,000, and he must forfeit a number of items used while carrying out the offences, including his boat and motors. Mr. Foote is also prohibited from hunting for 10 years, being in the presence of anyone hunting, and leaving Canada for the purpose of hunting.

The total penalties will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.

The investigations resulting from Operation Long Feather are ongoing.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment.

Quick Facts

Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Environment and Climate Change Canada is authorized to protect migratory birds, their nests, and populations, and it regulates potentially harmful human activities to them.

The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. It was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit our natural environment.